The Fife and Drum Inn is the most intimate place to stay on this list, and the best option for couples who want to walk everywhere. It is a two-story bed and breakfast built in 1999 in a Colonial style, at 441 Prince George Street, and it sits one minute on foot from Merchants Square, the College of William and Mary, the Kimball Theatre and Duke of Gloucester Street. The Governor’s Palace is about a six-minute walk. Rooms include the Classic Rooms and the Signature Suites, with a queen bed and a twin bed in some, Egyptian cotton sheets, pillowtop mattresses and bathrobes. A free continental breakfast is served from 8 to 9:30am, there is a library, a lobby fireplace and a terrace, and parking is free. Guests rate it 8.4 out of 10 from nearly 800 reviews. It works as an alternative to the big hotels, and it is run to a smaller scale, which has implications for the way you plan your stay.
Location and getting around
It is hard to be closer to the heart of Williamsburg without sleeping in a colonial house. You can walk to dinner on Merchants Square, to a show at the Kimball Theatre, to the college and into the Historic Area without using the car. The Williamsburg Transportation Center is a six-minute walk. Jamestown Settlement, Busch Gardens and the Premium Outlets are all within a short drive of about six miles or less.
Rooms and facilities
The rooms are small to medium, with the Classic Room at about 180 square feet and the Signature Suite at about 250 square feet, so it is not a place for a big family. Free WiFi, a business center, concierge and tour and ticket assistance are available, along with daily housekeeping. There are no elevators, and upper floors are reached by stairs only, which may be a problem for anyone with limited mobility. Cribs and rollaway beds are not available.
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and history lovers who like a quiet B and B. Children aged eight and under are not allowed, the minimum check-in age is 21, and pets are not permitted, though service animals are welcome. Good to know: the front desk is open daily from 8am to 3pm only, so arrange a late arrival in advance. Check-in is from 3pm, check-out is before 11am with a late check-out fee, and only credit and debit cards are accepted, not cash. The property is LGBTQ-friendly and non-smoking.
Why stay here
- ✓Free continental breakfast
- ✓Free parking
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓Library and lobby fireplace
- ✓Terrace
- ✓Concierge and ticket help
- ✓Egyptian cotton sheets
- ✓Walk to Merchants Square
Good questions
Where is the Fife and Drum Inn?+
It is at 441 Prince George Street, about a one-minute walk from Merchants Square, the College of William and Mary and Duke of Gloucester Street. The Governor’s Palace is about a six-minute walk.
Are children allowed at the Fife and Drum Inn?+
Guests aged eight and younger are not allowed, and the minimum check-in age is 21, so it is best suited to couples and adults.
Is breakfast included at the Fife and Drum Inn?+
Yes, a free continental breakfast is served daily from 8 to 9:30am. Parking is also free, but the front desk is only staffed from 8am to 3pm.
